This remarkable letter is written in clear dark pencil with minor aged spots with one hole on the last page that has been repaired with document tape.  It is a truly historic tale of the inhuman treatment of the black soldier. 


Lt. Samuel N. Kennerly
Co. G, 25th S.C. Volunteers

- Was a surgeon at home but chose to fight rather than serve as a surgeon in the army.

- Was a member of the elite "Edisto Rifles," 25th S.C. Regiment, and elected lieutenant of the company.

- Was killed August 21, 1864 just south of Petersburg as General A.P. attacked Gen. Warren at Weldon.


Transcript:
                                                                                                                                                                                                              James Island
                                                                                                                                                                                                              July 16, 1863

My Dear Julia,

                I wrote to you yesterday, but as we were in a fight this morning and you might hear of it, and become uneasy, I write you a few lines to let you know that I am sad also Bob and Hayne escaped unhurt.  We started out this morning to attack the Yankees at the dawn of day leaving camp at 12 o’clock.  We reached nearly the place where the Yankee pickets were, and awaited for day – at the first dawning of day we deployed six companies of the Eutaw Regiment (including the Edisto Rifles) as skirmishers and moved forward in order to drive the Yankee pickets in which we did effectively, killing a great many as we advanced – but what kind of soldiers do you suppose we had to contend with, I suppose you think they were Yankees of course, but no, they were still lower than the Yankees – They were negroes, yes Darling we had to fight negroes armed with guns.  I had no idea of meeting with negroes till low and behold I saw them before me, we killed many an one, there is no telling how many was killed.  Along my end of the line the men would not take any prisoners at all.   THEY KILLED EVERY ONE they came across.  There were several instances when the negroes would surrender and would get up in two or three steps of us and the men would shoot them down, but on the other end of the line there were some 14 negro prisoners taken.  There were a great many killed.  There is no telling how many.  We drove them to the gun boats, and would have captured a battery of artillery but out Lt. Col. Been let alone, but he had orders to return and he had to obey orders.  He went out to reconnoiter the enemy and did fine business, we found out what we wished, that is that there are not many Yankee troops on James Island besides killed a number of negroes.  We lost in our Regiment killed one and some eight wounded.  There was but one wounded in our company, he was struck in the face inflicting a severe wound, his name is Myers from the fork of the Edistoy.  Darling please excuse these hasty lines as I have just returned to camp and feel very much fatigued give my love to all and kiss little Sammie for me.  Write-soon to your sincere affectionate     Sam